We recently connected with Ethan Platt and have shared our conversation below.

Ethan, appreciate you joining us today. One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.

I’m an oil painter using digital renderings as a source of inspiration. Digitally sculpting figures in simulated scenes offers creative liberties that allows me to venture deeper into what it means to be a painter in the digital era. I’m able to create scenes that emulate or distort natural spaces, people and atmospheres. I use this process to convey the contemporary side of life that often takes place online.

Ethan, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’ve always been creative and over time found a love for oil painting. My parents are creative and my great grandfather was a wrestler and painter. I inherited his paints and brushes when I was fourteen and began learning to paint with them. I ended up going to OCAD University for the Drawing and Painting program where I learned more about art and painting as a creative practice. I found myself exploring the how art has been used to preserve timelines throughout history and my interest in painting became rooted in the idea of digital life.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Meeting people, expressing ideas, but most of all for me it’s just the act of painting. If I’m being completely honest my favourite part of being an artist is simply spending time in the studio making paintings. It’s easy to get lost in ego or caught up in how the work is received (or should be received) but theres nothing more humbling/comforting than just making paintings that are true to me. That’s what I really love about all of it.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

There are a lot of websites and social media strategies for artists, but I think the most genuine way to grow as an artist is to view art in person and take those experiences with you into the studio. Go to art openings, art grad shows, art fairs, biennials and consider the work and the people that take up those spaces. See what speaks to you and allow yourself to respond to it. The most important aspect of being an artist is to be genuine in representing your experiences and to convey something that is real. Rather than buying into the resources that are promising ‘quick cash’ or are ‘hacks’ just be true to yourself and allow the rest to figure itself out.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ethanplatt.ca/
• Instagram: @ethanplatt_studio